My name is Stacy. In 2004 I was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on a drug charge. I had been unsuccessfully battling addiction since my early teens, in spite of having a loving family and two beautiful sons. After my release from prison I was required to receive a mental health evaluation and I felt I would be able to skate through. I didn't want to share my fears, and feelings with a stranger. However, sitting there with her, that first day, I began to think about the struggles I was having since coming home; I was not only unable to go ANYWHERE alone, if I lost sight of my mother or if a stranger spoke to me I would have a panic attack, and at the age of 50 I was sleeping with my mother because of my fear. I made the decision that day that I wanted a better life and I believed Celina could help me have it. Celina never told me what to do to fix me, rather she asked questions and sometimes made suggestions that made me think. Really think! She helped me find goals, and taught me to believe in myself. My evaluation with Celina turned into about two and half years of working on myself with Celina's help. She helped me change the course of my life. I’m no longer scared. I live in my own space. I enrolled in college and have 3.8 gpa. Last summer I was awarded a scholarship to The Georgia School of Addiction conference in Savannah and as I drove down the highway in my truck; alone, I thought about Celina and the gifts she gave me. She gave me the tools to change my life.
Stacy
My name is Yemenja. Well a few years ago my sister took me to a women’s center in Athens, Georgia as an intervention. I walk in and I’m being interviewed by a staff member I’m just so mean and out of line. Ms. Celina calmly steps in and shuts me down. This woman was so powerful so relentless and yet loving. At first I thought to myself to be silly but then every session I wanted to be in her presence. She made it clear that she didn’t have my alcoholism problem but she made it clear she wasn’t perfect. For that she is indelibly printed in my mind.
Yemenja
What I remember most is about how you cared. Not just about my mental health but how I was physically. I remember one time when I was in ITP when you sat with me in the hall when my blood sugar dropped really low until the nurse could get to me
Cayle
Vereen Counseling is a godsend! My client needed to have an assessment completed and had issues with transportation. Ms. Vereen offered to meet my client to alleviate her transportation issues and was able to get the assessment completed quickly and professionally. Even more, Ms. Vereen was able to provide follow up counseling and services for my client which helped her move on with her life and successfully close her court case. I will most definitely hire Vereen Counseling again!!! -Nicole Hull
The Hull Firm
My husband and I use Vereen Counseling Services and since we've been attending our marriage counseling sessions, we've seen an improvement in our communication with each other. Celina helped us identify our communication style and our love language, which was a big barrier previously in our marriage. Celina also has a flexible schedule to meet our needs and telecounseling, which with our schedules has been a Godsend. We are forever thankful to Vereen Counseling Services. -The Wilson's
The Wilson's
It’s easier to smile when you know that you’ve got someone like Ms. Celina to listen to you without judging but listen to help you come up with real solutions. God places Angels on Earth- “Ms. Celina” aka Earth Angel I am truly thankful for God allowing me to see Ms. Celina. Unfortunately, it was at my Uncle’s funeral. But it was at the perfect time in my life. I’ve been to therapy before in the past and was needing to go back. I had tried my old therapist, but he had moved. So, I was so glad that I had got a chance to talk with Ms. Celina after the funeral and found out she had finished school and was in business. I’ve known her for a very long time. And I’ve always had so much respect for her. So, I was so excited that she had gave me her card to make an appointment to see her. I told her after my first session that the number one reason I had chosen to see her was because of her honesty from previous conversation. She is great at telling you the things you may not want to hear but need to hear. I thank God for the sessions with her. She has truly made a difference in my life. And she has helped me by providing me with options to dealing with some of the issues I was facing. I truly understand, that life is in the POWER OF THE TONGUE. May you continue to use your voice to make a difference in the lives of the people you meet. You are truly called by God to do what you do. Thanks so much!
Frankie Stewart
Although I know everything happens in its own perfect time, I wish I had known about Celina years ago. I started seeing her in March 2019, and I’m so thankful that I have her to be able to talk to regularly. I feel like I’ve known her for a long time, even though it’s only been a little over 7 months. We’ve unpacked some pretty heavy stuff, and I still have work to do, but Celina has a way of making therapy fun and challenging at the same time. Therapy works if you work it, but it also works when you have an excellent therapist.
Saron
My Son and I went to Celene for counseling, we were having a problem communicating, he has been married for 4 years and also he was away at Law school at UGA, we didn’t see much of him and I was feeling very frustrated and hurt, he was hurt as well because our communication had boiled down to texting and that can be misinterpreted. Celene helped us work through our differences and she helped us come up with a “plan” which has worked! I’m forever grateful and I recommend her highly to everyone that needs counseling!
Ben & Cyndi
Just wanted to show my appreciation for what you have done for me in my life. You saved my life and I will be ever grateful and thankful. As in life. I'm no longer letting someone else control my emotions and feelings and I don't let work stress me out. And I'm focusing making myself a better person and being happy. I was just thinking about you on my way home so I had to reach out to you. Thank you again I can't say it enough You don't have to say a word. Your actions and words have said enough. Why you have a gift from God and you was put into my life for a reason. You showed me that it's ok to speak and get things off your chest even when you grow up in a environment when it's looked down upon to seek help.
Client
Celina helped me get out of a really dark place in my life. She helped teach me to love myself and appreciate life again and also to hold my head up high. She is a wonderful, caring person and she really went the extra mile to make sure I had the tools I needed to battle with my depression. I honestly cannot thank her enough. I would recommend her to anybody.
Melissa C.